TheAzania MosakaShow

Last week the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein overturned Thandi Maqubela's murder conviction. Her lawyers now say she may be home by Christmas as she will soon apply for parole.

Maqubela was initially found guilty of murder by the Western Cape High Court following Maqubela's death in June 2009.

She forged her late husband's signature to become the main beneficiary of his estate believed to be worth
more than R20-million. She is also now the rightful inheritor of her deceased husband, Patrick Maqubela’s estate.

Prof James Grant, Visiting Associate Law Professor at Wits University, explains that under the finding of Maqubela being guilty of murder, she would have been excluded from any inheritance.

She also cannot inherit under a fraudulent will.

— Prof James Grant, Visiting Associate Law Professor at Wits University

Grant adds that in South African law, there is a principle that one is free to leave their estate to whomever they please subject to the new law that stipulates a portion should be left to one's family.

He also says Maqubela may struggle to sue the state for wrongful conviction because she may not be able to prove malice towards herself.